On November 16, Bob Jensen wrote a brief e-mail thanking the volunteers who travelled to Guaymas, Mexico November 7-11 for the annual Gift of Hearing mission, which is a signature international service project of Mesa West Rotary.  

 

On the 2018 mission, 370 patients (179 children and 191 adults) were seen, 144 hearing aids fit and 178 earmolds made.  There were only two days that patients were actually seen, the other days were for travel and some time for enjoying the area.  

 

Representing Mesa West Rotary on the trip were Bob Jensen, Erica Williams, Christy Citterman and Ray Schmal, Allan and Polly Cady, Chuck Flint, and Ray Smith. There were a number of additional volunteers on the trip who were either audiology professionals or students studying to enter the field of audiology.   

 

To see larger images of the photos featured, CLICK HERE to visit our Facebook page.

Rotarians from District 5495 who attended the Zone Institute in Reno recently learned about the devastating losses experienced in Paradise, California from Paradise Rotary Club President Brian Gray.

 

Every Rotarian in Brian's club lost their home in the Camp Fire.  Many also lost their vehicles.  It made an impact on all who heard their first-hand stories, but to get a sense of what they felt, John Pennypacker has shared a poem written by a local resident while grieving the loss of her hometown of Paradise.  CLICK HERE or on the image at left to read her poem.

 

www.ParadiseStrong.org

Warren Haessler and his wife, Debby, were among the first Mesa West Rotary family to ring the bell, collecting red kettle donations for Salvation Army donations in front of Bass Pro.  They had an afternoon shift on Friday, November 23 - the first day of our commitment for the 2018 bell-ringing season.

 

Don LaBarge is coordinating the shift assignments this year.  You could make his job easier if you would commit early and commit often.

If you pick up a dog that is starving and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. That is the principal difference between a dog and a man.
     - Mark Twain

Help someone struggle less. Donate to The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona to help fund vocational education grants. Go to donate.trvfa.org to donate on-line. TRVFA is a Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO) for Arizona tax credit donations of up to $400 for individual donors or $800 for a married couple.  Their Arizona QCO code is 20698.

 

In 2017-18, generous Mesa West members made us the top club in membership support of TRVFA in the State of Arizona.  Please help us again set the standard for supporting this unique

Rotarian-founded, Rotary-International-endorsed, charitable organization in the State of Arizona.  Since its beginning over 25 years ago, TRVFA has been managed by a board of directors who are all active Rotarians and proportionately represent the Rotary Districts in our state. 

 

Because the recipients of TRVFA grants need to meet specific low-income guidelines, TRVFA enables individuals who are struggling financially to enter well-paying professions and truly transform their own quality of life and at the same time improve the economy of our state.

 

If you prefer to donate by check, your donation should be mailed to TRVFA, P O Box 14412, Scottsdale, AZ 85257.  Please indicate that you are a Mesa West Rotarian so they can give our club credit for your generosity.